Death met three men one day and told them of the day they would meet again.

To the first, Death said: “Prepare yourself, for in twenty years I will return
to take you from all that you have and bring you to your eternal reward.” The
first man said: “That is well, for twenty years is an entire life.” And so he
went and lived and became very wealthy and all men of the world new and loved
him. And on the very day Death returned and took him from all that he had and
brought him to his eternal reward and he was terrified for he was not prepared
and the flame was more than he could bear.

To the second, Death said: “Prepare yourself, for in five years I will
return to take you from all that you are and bring you to your eternal
reward.” The second man said: “That is well for five years is an entire
world.” And so he went and explored this earth and many men of the world
knew and admired him. And on the very day Death returned and took him from
all that he was and brought him to his eternal reward and he was terrified
for he was not prepared and the flame was more than he could bear.

To the third, Death said: “Prepare yourself, for I have come today to take
you from this world and bring you to your eternal reward.“ The third man
said: “That is well, for I am ready.” And he was prepared and thanked his
God for his life and for His Son. And Death took him from this earth and
brought him to his eternal reward and he rejoiced for He was far more
wonderful than he had imagined.